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Mushrooms and Truffles: Historical Biofactories for Complementary Medicine in Africa and in the Middle East

Summary

This research examines how mushrooms and truffles have been used traditionally as medicine across Africa and the Middle East. These fungi contain powerful compounds that can fight disease, boost immunity, and provide important nutrients. The study shows how ancient knowledge about medicinal mushrooms could help develop new modern medicines. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides natural alternatives to synthetic medicines with fewer side effects • Offers potential new sources for developing antibiotics and cancer treatments • Highlights sustainable local food sources rich in protein and nutrients • Preserves important traditional medical knowledge that could be lost • Demonstrates how natural products can complement modern medicine

Background

Desert macrofungi in the form of mushrooms and truffles have been used as food and medicine since early civilization. They were first recorded in Egyptian temples and considered precious food for royalty. During Greek and Roman eras, they were imported from Libya and sold in southern Europe. The nomadic people of the Kalahari Desert have used truffles for millennia. While mushrooms grow above ground and are visible, truffles grow underground and require special skills or trained animals to locate them based on their characteristic volatile compounds.

Objective

This review aims to summarize available information related to the nutritional and medicinal value of African and Middle Eastern macrofungi and highlight their application in complementary folk medicine in this region. The review outlines the current status of knowledge on macrofungi bioactive compounds and their applications in complementary and alternative medicine in different African and Middle Eastern cultures.

Results

The review found that desert macrofungi contain high nutritional value with proteins (20-27%), carbohydrates (up to 60%), fats (3-7.5%), fiber (7-13%), and essential minerals. They produce various bioactive compounds including antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor compounds. Traditional applications were documented across multiple African and Middle Eastern cultures for treating various conditions including gastrointestinal problems, skin diseases, infections, and as general health tonics.

Conclusion

Africa and the Middle East possess unique macrofungi species with significant medicinal potential. While historically used in traditional medicine, several challenges exist for modern applications including: seasonal availability and difficulty in cultivation, variability in bioactive compounds, potential contamination risks, and lack of standardized testing protocols. More research is needed to overcome these challenges and increase their use in modern medical applications as alternatives to synthetic compounds.
  • Published in:Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1155/2013/620451
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